Travelore News: Los Angeles Airport LAX Unveils Revamped Terminal 1

Los Angeles World Airports and Southwest Airlines on Nov. 30 officially unveiled the revamped Terminal 1, which has undergone $516.7 million in renovations. The updated terminal features a more efficient, centralized screening area, more seating, and new dining and shopping options.

Mayor Eric Garcetti, also attended the ceremony which saw the unveiling of the $516.7m redevelopment by Southwest which includes new dining and retail options. The new facility also features ‘a larger and more efficient’ centralized screening checkpoint and larger seating areas in gates.

The Terminal 1 renovation, which began in 2014 is part of an overall LAX modernization program. The first phase was completed in 2016, with the final 10 of 20 retail and dining options revealed earlier this year.

Constructed in the early 1980s in advance of the 1984 Olympic Games, the project was completed with minimal impact to customer service and flight operations, keeping around 10m customers moving through the facility each year of the development.

Deborah Flint, CEO, Los Angeles World Airports said the T1 modernization had been a phenomenal effort by all partners at LAWA, Southwest and URW Airports and the results raised the bar for what guests could expect when they came to LAX.

The major objective of the T1 project was to eliminate queues that crowded the approaches to ticketing, security and at shops and restaurants in ‘previously cramped’ gate areas.

Now, the 13-gate terminal features new self‐service check‐in stations, the relocated security checkpoint and additional retail and dining offerings post‐security.

Gary Kelly, CEO, Southwest said: “Southwest carries more California travellers to, from and within the Golden State every day than any other airline and is scheduled to offer a record 800 departures a day from California next summer.

“This redeveloped Terminal 1 facility at LAX will host many of those customers and is the perfect venue for our award‐winning people to showcase their world‐famous hospitality.”

With 22 dining and retail destinations spread across 23,543sq ft, the new offerings introduce 13 new brands to LAX and eight which are making their airport debut.

Westfield Corporation entered into an agreement at Terminal’s 1, 3 and 6 to develop, lease and manage retail, F&B and other services in 2012 for a period of 17 years. Construction by the same project team is underway on Terminal 1.5, a connecting structure between Terminals 1 and 2. This will further expand baggage claim areas and offer Southwest Customers connectivity to the new LAX automated people mover.

Source: www.airlineguideonline.com 

Southwest Airlines Earns Top Customer Experience Ratings for Airlines, According to Temkin Group

Eighth Annual Temkin Experience Ratings Evaluates 318 Companies Across 20 Industries

Southwest Airlines delivers the best customer experience in the airline industry, according to the 2018 Temkin Experience Ratings, an annual customer experience benchmark of companies based on a survey of 10,000 U.S. consumers.  

Of the nine airlines included in this year's Ratings, Southwest Airlines earned the highest score with a rating of 76%, putting it in 51^st place overall out of 318 companies across 20 industries. Southwest has earned the highest score for airlines every year since the Ratings began in 2011, with the exception of 2015 when JetBlue came in first.

Overall, the airlines industry averaged a 66% rating in the 2018 Temkin Experience Ratings and tied for 12^th place out of 20 industries. The average rating of the industry is unchanged from 2017.

The ratings of all airlines in the 2018 Temkin Experience Ratings are as follows:

• Southwest Airlines: 76%
• Alaska Airlines: 74%
• JetBlue Airlines: 70%
• Virgin America: 70%
• Delta Airlines: 64%
• United Airlines: 63%
• American Airlines: 62%
• ExpressJet: 59%
• Spirit Airlines: 45%

"Southwest Airlines continues to set the pace for customer experience in the airline industry, but Alaska Airlines is closing the gap," states Bruce Temkin, managing partner of Temkin Group.

Alaska Airlines' customer experience score improved the most over the previous year, gaining six percentage-points. Spirit Airlines' score, on the other hand, declined the most, dropping five points.

Now in its eighth year of publication, the 2018 Temkin Experience Ratings is the most comprehensive benchmark of customer experience in the industry, evaluating 318 companies across 20 industries: airlines, auto dealers, banks, computer & tablet makers, credit card issuers, fast food chains, health plans, hotels & rooms, insurance carriers, investment firms, parcel delivery services, rental cars & transport, retailers, software firms, streaming media, supermarket chains, TV & appliance makers, TV/Internet service providers, utilities, and wireless carriers.

To generate these ratings, Temkin Group asked 10,000 U.S. consumers to evaluate their recent experiences with a company across three dimensions: success (can you do what you want to do?), effort (how easy is it to work with the company?), and emotion (how do you feel about the interactions?). Temkin Group then averaged these three scores to produce each company's Temkin Experience Rating.

In these ratings, a score of 70% or above is considered "good," and a score of 80% or above is considered "excellent," while a score below 60% is considered "poor."

The 2018 Temkin Experience Ratings, along with other ratings, can be accessed at the Temkin Ratings website, www.TemkinRatings.com.

The free report, "2018 Temkin Experience Ratings," is available for download at the Customer Experience Matters^® blog (ExperienceMatters.blog) and at the Temkin Group website, www.TemkinGroup.com.

7 things To See And Do In The Cayman Islands

Stingray City.

CAYMAN ISLANDS -  Just one-hour flight time from Miami and 1.5 hours from the Texas coast, the Cayman Islands offers a treasure trove of activities and places to relax for a true vacation. Consisting of three small islands no more than 100 square miles in total, beaches and banking have driven the islands to the forefront when it comes to business and pleasure.

When planning a trip to the Cayman Islands, one can expect clean white sandy beaches with a mirror calm turquoise tropical ocean, however one should also be prepared for occasional light showers during the summer months. Rain showers don't last long in the tropics and are usually followed by bright sunshine a few minutes later.

Known as a top destination for American and European travelers seeking the ultimate vacation, direct flights to the Cayman Islands can be found on American Airlines, Cayman Airways, West Jet, Southwest, Delta and British Airways. With over seven miles of safe beaches on the northern coast of Grand Cayman, the islands welcome an average two million visitors yearly. Majority of visitors to Grand Cayman are cruise ship visitors arriving 7 am in the morning, and are usually gone by 5 pm in the afternoon.

Portrayed in many articles as the place time has forgotten, the islands have seen an upward trend in commercialization and growth, mostly within the Seven Mile Beach and George Town districts. In recent times, the Cayman Islands have improved on roads and buildings, making the islands some of the most advanced within the Western hemisphere.

Large cooperate offices have increased by 20% over the past two years, along with advanced medical facilities offering a wide range of services. Recently opening its doors is an advanced facility for heart and orthopedics, which came online in 2012 and is now listed as the most technological advanced facility in the Caribbean. Health City in East End is one of a kind and the only JCI certified facility within the region. The facility will soon be opening a 185-bedroom hotel a few steps away from the main hospital, which overlooks the ocean on the southern side of Grand Cayman. 

1. Visiting Stingray City

Visiting Stingray City can be overwhelming especially if you are not a frequent visitor of the ocean. Your first impression can be a little intimidating, but once you are in the water and the feeding begins, your perspective changes at once. Holding some of the largest stingrays in the Caribbean without fear is nothing less than awesome. Referred to as "gentle giants" by most visitors, feeding stingrays on the sandbar is a must when visiting the Cayman Islands. 

One of the best companies to book a tour to Stingray City and surrounding attractions is Stingray City Cayman Islands. Tours to Stingray City and starfish can be booked online, including additional tours to the Turtle Centre and Hell. 

Completeing reservation online is simple and easy, with free cancellation in the event of weather or a ship failing to stop in port.

2. A Day at Rum Point

 

Rum Point is the perfect place to spend a day at the beach with access to restaurants and beach bar. Known as home of mudslides and the best location to try one, Rum Point also offers access to the beach and crystal-clear water in a family setting. Located approximately 1.9 miles from Stingray City, Rum Point is the closest point to the sandbar. Although it is the closest point when it comes to line of sight, it is also the furthest to drive should one select to tour the island. Shuttle service to Rum Point can be arranged from Camana Bay for a small charge aboard a water taxi, which operates every two hours. The service does not include stops at Stingray City or any other attractions.  Ask us about private tours to Rum Point and Stingray City

3. Sandy Beaches and Starfish

The rich culture and heritage of the Cayman Islands can also be explored through Starfish Point and its surrounding waters. Considered a perfect place to have a beach picnic, access can be acquired by walking along a foot path or by water vessel. The quiet beach is a common picnic spot for locals on weekends and public holidays but is mostly visited by tourist during the weekdays. Most locals take advantage of the quiet and peaceful surrounding, which also offers privacy by the natural vegetation blocking vehicular traffic.    

Starfishes can be found in knee-deep water and range in size from a few ounces to several pounds. Bright orange and occasionally camo green starfish are found from the southern tip of the sandbar and into the lagoon a few hundred feet away.

Tours to Starfish Point can be purchased from Stingray City Cayman Islands, and include other destinations such as Stingray City and Coral Garden.

4. Venturing Seven Mile Beach

Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman has been listed in the top ten beaches based on a worldwide survey. Consisting of soft white coral sand extending seven miles on the northern side of the capital George Town, it is not hard to find some of the best snorkel locations.

Beaches in the Cayman Islands are open for strolling and sunbathing without any worry of breaching local laws. With little or no restriction, you can find yourself miles away from your resort by the time you realized the beauty of the place has taken you on a long journey.

Majority of the upscale resorts are located on Seven Mile Beach, along with some of the Cayman Islands' top restaurants and bars. A few of the restaurants on Seven Mile Beach provide direct access to the beach with dining next to the water, along with drink service by friendly waiters.

5. Touring Historic East End

East End is one of the oldest districts in the Cayman Islands, and it offers a wide range of historical sites as well as home of the Cayman Islands true culture. In East End you will find wreck of the Ten Sails, where visitors can hike up to a forty-foot bluff overlooking the initial site of the wreck. Other ship wrecks and  artifacts can be found at the gateway to the bluff, including a large brass propeller and the lead keel of an old sail vessel. A few minutes' drive towards the Morritt's, old canons can be found positioned in private yards along the drive. These canons are from the wreck of the ten sails and can be approached by visitors.

East End is also known the perfect place to source local dishes. If you're willing to try local turtle stew or conch stew, Vivien's on the Bluff, just a few hundred feet from the Wreck of the Ten Sails monument is a perfect stop. Cassava cake and various local dishes can be purchased at reasonable prices, along with local tamarin drink. On Sunday afternoons it's lobster and fish next to the water at the only gas station in the district. Located next to the water on sandy white beach with coconut trees as shelter, fried fish and lobster can be purchased and enjoyed under coconut trees while having a cold refreshment. More information can be sourced by visiting: Eastern Star Bar & Fish Fry

6. Pedro St. James

Known by residents as 'Pedro Castle', the current renovated and oldest surviving stone structure in Grand Cayman is home to much cultural and history, including that of the first parliamentarian meeting and oversight of the Cayman Islands. 

The castle was built using slave labor in 1780 by a wealthy Englishman who took up residence within the islands. The castle served a variety of uses, including a cotton plantation, courthouse, jail and Government Assembly Building. It was also the venue for the Cayman Islands parliament and decision making in 1831, and also to announce that slavery had been abolished in the British Empire in 1835. The structure survived several hurricanes, one major fire, vandalism by all walks of life, and infestation of many forms of wildlife. The structure serves as the most historic piece of the Caymanian heritage.

Pedro St. James Theatre

Enjoy a 3D multi-sensory movie that will transport you back in time, to the history and heritage of the Cayman Islands. Understand the Cayman Islands' history of the first explorers, including those of piracy and stashing of treasure on the islands. Movie show daily from: 9am-4pm. Last show is at 4pm.

7. Cayman Islands Turtle Centre

The Cayman Turtle Centre, located within West Bay of Grand Cayman offers a unique relationship with nature through educational and memorable hands-on experiences. The park allows visitors to experience the unique history of the Cayman Islands in a fun and safe environment, while providing opportunities to observe and interact with native gentle giants of the ocean.

Offering a one-of-a-kind saltwater lagoon, the Breaker's saltwater tidal lagoon is unique in the Caribbean. In addition to swimming with sea life in the lagoon, Breaker's restaurant offers a wide range of items on the menu, including jerk chicken and pork, hamburgers, sandwiches, and desserts, amongst other delights. Everyone will enjoy the experience of the finest Caymanian cuisine at a variety of locations throughout the park.

Packages for the Turtle Centre can be purchased at Stingray City Cayman Islandsseparately or as a combo unit. Visitors can select the entire park access or limited access listed as Encounter only. In addition, standalone packages can also be purchased with access to the Lagoon or just the Encounter without joining any of the Stingray City tours. All tours include free transportation from local resorts and the cruise ship terminal in George Town.

Cayman Turtle Centre is the only saltwater lagoon consisting of 1.3 million marine life encounters on the island. With full access to the park, visitors can also get up close to the predator tank and come nose-to-nose with sharks and eels. This is a must for anyone who visits the Cayman Islands year-round, as the Turtle Centre is open daily from 8am to 5pm.

The Cayman Turtle Centre is home to over 11,000 Green Sea Turtles ranging in size from six ounces to six hundred and fifty pounds. Some of the largest turtles can be seen upon entering the facility within the breeding section. Sparky is the oldest turtle currently at the facility and is estimated to be 76 years old. Upon completing the turtle tour, visitors can purchase gifts from the facility's 3,500 square foot retail centre, located on the northern side of the reception building.

Written by: Stingray City Administrator M Jackson

The Best US Airlines For In-Flight Wi-Fi In 2018

Whether it’s for business or simply because of a debatably unhealthy obsession, many of us struggle going more than a few minutes without Internet access. This can be particularly troublesome when traveling. When we’re heading home for the holidays, going on a business trip, or taking off on a summer vacation, we need to know which airlines do the most to keep us online while in the air.

Through painstaking research and expert data analysis, HighSpeedInternet.com put together a report of their exclusive rankings of the in-flight Wi-Fi offerings of domestic airlines.

Top Domestic Airline Wi-Fi Services Overall

JetBlue offers the best overall in-flight Wi-Fi for personal travel. The biggest reason JetBlue tops the rankings is because when it’s available, it comes at no extra cost. JetBlue is the only airline in America that offers free in-flight Wi-Fi.

Along with being the most affordable, JetBlue’s in-flight Wi-Fi is also among the fastest; it’s tied with Delta and Virgin America at 15 Mbps. Southwest grabbed the second spot with a great balance of affordability and availability. It offers in-flight Wi-Fi on 90% of its ASM and charges just $8 per day.

Read the full article here.

Southwest Airlines To Launch Nonstop Cuba Service From Ft. Lauderdale And Tampa Bay

Southwest Airlines announces its flight schedule of new nonstop flights between Florida and Cuba

Southwest Airlines Co. has announced its flight schedule of new nonstop flights between Florida and Cuba, bringing Southwest’s service to a ninth country and a historic 100th destination.

Service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Varadero, Cuba (VRA) is scheduled to begin Sunday, November 13, 2016, and Havana (HAV) service is scheduled to commence Monday, December 12, 2016, from both FLL and Tampa International Airport (TPA), subject to requisite approvals of the Cuban government.  Service details for Santa Clara, Cuba (SNU) are intended to be released in the coming weeks.

“Southwest Customers can book their tickets now to travel to Cuba with our low fares and no hidden fees, bags fly free, and the best Employees in the industry,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines’ Chairman, President & CEO.  “Cuba will be the ninth country on our route map and Havana will mark Southwest’s 100th city, a significant and proud milestone.”

“We’re continuing to invest in the Sunshine State with relevant service in all eight of our Florida airports to connect Southwest Customers to important things in their lives,” said Steve Goldberg, Southwest Airlines’ Vice President of Ground Operations, in announcing Cuba service details today at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

“Broward County’s state-of-the-art, five-gate international concourse scheduled to open here next summer, and to celebrate our new service, we sent out Southwest Employees to surprise Floridians with a gift to celebrate our 100th city.”

Travelore News: Southwest Airlines To Fly Nonstop From Los Angeles To Cancun, Los Cabos, And Puerto Vallarta

DALLAS, TX - Southwest Airlines today announced new international service between Los Angeles (LAX) and three airports in Mexico's coastal resort regions: Cancun (CUN), San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos (SJD), and Puerto Vallarta (PVR).

The service is scheduled to begin December 4, subject to approvals of the Mexican government. In celebration of the new flights, Southwest® is offering special fares (purchase today through August 21, 2016, 11:59 p.m. in the time zone of the originating city) for travel December 4, 2016, through March 2, 2017. Please see below for blackout dates, valid travel days, and complete terms & conditions for fares listed in this news release.

New nonstop service beginning Dec. 4, 2016 from Los Angeles (LAX) to:

Cancun (twice daily)
San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos (twice daily)
Puerto Vallarta (once daily)

"Southwest's approval from the DOT to operate these new routes made history as the first authorities granted in a new agreement between the U.S. and Mexico to allow more service between the countries," said Paul Cullen, Vice President and Executive Sponsor of Los Angeles for Southwest Airlines. "We are able to do what we have done for decades in California and in cities across the country: enter a nonstop market, bring low fares with unmatched value, and connect people in a more affordable way with places that are important in their lives."

Cullen discussed the new flights with the carrier's LA Basin Customers and Employees at a Viva Mexico! party taking place today at a Southwest Beachfront Porch set-up in Santa Monica Place near the Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica Pier. Traditional Mexican dancers commemorated news of the first Mexico service from LAX by Southwest, the largest carrier of air passengers to, from, and within the Golden State, based on the most recent data provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Southwest serves ten major commercial airports in the state, five of which are in the LA Basin.

"Los Angeles and Mexico share an unbreakable bond, and today our cultural and commercial connections become even stronger," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. "These new Southwest flights from LAX to Mexico will expand L.A.'s global reach, bring Angelenos closer to the people they love, and help our city's economy continue to grow."

Late last month, the carrier received U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approval to fly between Oakland International Airport and both Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. Also subject to Mexican governmental approval, this new service in Northern California would begin on Feb. 12, 2017.

Southwest already flies daily between LAX and Liberia/Guanacaste, Costa Rica, and the five new daily flights to and from Mexico will be flown in addition to the carrier's international service offered at John Wayne Airport in Orange County. The carrier continues to plan for available seat mile (ASM) growth in the 5-6 percent range in 2016.

Travelore News: US Airlines to Start Scheduled Flights To Cuba

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In this Thursday, June 9, 2016, photo, Galo Beltran, Cuba country manager for American Airlines,... Read more

HAVANA (AP) — Six airlines won permission Friday to resume scheduled commercial air service from the U.S. to Cuba for the first time in more than five decades, another milestone in President Barack Obama's campaign to normalize relations between Cold War foes.

The airlines — American, Frontier, JetBlue, Silver Airways, Southwest and Sun Country — were approved by the Department of Transportation for a total of 155 roundtrip flights per week. They'll fly from five U.S. cities to nine cities in Cuba other than Havana.

U.S. law still prohibits tourist travel to Cuba, but a dozen other categories of travel are permitted, including family visits, official business, journalist visits, professional meetings and educational and religious activities. The Obama administration has eased rules to the point where travelers are now free to design their own "people-to-people" cultural exchanges with little oversight.

Most of the airline service is expected to begin this fall and early winter, the department said.

Approval is still required by the Cuban government, but some carriers say they plan to start selling tickets within the next few days while they wait for signoffs from Cuba.

More than a year ago, Obama announced it was time to "begin a new journey" with the communist country. "Today we are delivering on his promise," said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.

As it considers opening routes to Havana, the department's selection process has been complicated because airlines have requested far more routes than are available under the U.S. agreement with Cuba. A decision on Havana routes is expected later this summer.

The routes approved Friday were not contested because there was less interest among U.S. airlines in flying to Cuban locations other than Havana. The routes include service from Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia, Minneapolis and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Cuban destinations are Camaguey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Cienfuegos, Holguin, Manzanillo, Matanzas, Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba.

All flights currently operating between the two countries are charters, but the agreement the administration signed with Cuba in February allows for up to 110 additional daily flights — more than five times the current charter operations.

The Transportation Security Administration is in the process of completing a security review of Cuban airports expected to have direct flights to the United States, and it is working with the Cuban government to schedule and complete the security assessment of any additional airports that propose to begin service, the agency said.

American Airlines has been the most aggressive in its approach, requesting more than half the possible slots to Havana plus service to five smaller Cuban cities. The airline has a large hub in Miami, home to the largest Cuban-American population. The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline has also been flying on behalf of charter companies for the longest time, since 1991.

U.S. airlines have been feverishly working to establish relationships with Cuban authorities. For instance, American had a number of meetings this week in Havana with Cuban aviation and banking officials.

"We have been working for months on this plan," Galo Beltran, Cuba country manager for American Airlines, told The Associated Press this week during the trip to Havana. "For us, it is going to be fairly easy because of the experience we have."

Cuba already has seen dramatic growth in flights. Last year, it saw 18 percent more passengers than in 2014, according to government aviation officials.

Currently, 46 airlines fly to Cuba, including Air France, Aeromexico, KLM, Air Canada, Aeroflot and Iberia.

Cuban aviation officials say they are ready for the extra flights but that questions remain, especially at Havana, about where the additional planes will park.

There has been plenty of interest by Americans in visiting Cuba since relations between the two nations started to thaw in December 2014. Nearly 160,000 U.S. leisure travelers flew to Cuba last year, along with hundreds of thousands of Cuban-Americans visiting family.

Prices for an hourlong charter flight now are about $500. Commercial airlines will probably offer flights for significantly less, although none has publicly discussed pricing. The check-in process for charters is also a cumbersome one, and the companies lack the traditional supports of commercial aviation such as online booking and 24-hour customer service.

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By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ and JOAN LOWY

Lowy reported from Washington.

What Each U.S. Airline Charges For A Bigger Seat

(Photo: Wayne Slezak, United Airlines)

Air travel today can be a cramped mess, but who wants to pay an arm and a leg for a spacious spot in business class? On the bright side, a few extra bucks can often get you a few extra inches of legroom and even a single inch of seat pitch (the distance between the seat in front of you and your own) can make a difference.

If you’re on an airline that allows you to choose an economy seat for free and that’s all you care about, SeatGuru has seating maps for every carrier’s aircraft. The only problem is airlines can sometime switch planes at the last minute, so your aisle up front could disappear.

Sometimes, a few extra bucks can be worth it. Here's what some airlines charge for a better seat in economy.

USA TODAY

Think airline seats have gotten smaller? They have

American: Starting at $4 (and up), you can get a more advantageous seat such as an aisle or window. But an extra $20 or more nets the real payoff of up to six more inches of legroom. Warning: Prices can rise to close to $200 per seat, depending on the route.

Delta: Extra comfort in the form of up to four more inches of legroom over regular economy need not cost a fortune. Example: On a Los Angeles to San Francisco flight in April, extra legroom was priced at $19 each way, but again, prices vary.

JetBlue:  This airline already offers a comparatively good deal, space-wise, with 32 to 33 inches of legroom (compared to 28 on many Spirit flights), plus an 18-inch-wide seat. But you can get even more starting at $10 one-way by purchasing the Even More Space seat.

Southwest: You get a lot of freebies when you travel on Business Select (including totally refundable tickets, free drinks and free TV) but these tickets can cost 10 times as much as the cheap Wanna Get Away fares and all seats are the same size. If you want the comfort of an aisle or window, or a seat close to the front, EarlyBird boarding is your best bet. The ticket add-on is just $12.50 per flight no matter where you fly and because of Southwest's open seating policy you can be among the first to choose where you'll sit.

Spirit: The ultra discounter gives you no choice of seats if you do not pay; you’ll simply be assigned one randomly. Basic seat selection costs from $1-$50 or get a Big Front Seat (additional legroom, no middle seat) for $12-$199, depending on the flight.

United: Book an Economy Plus seat for a single flight from $9 to $299 or if you fly a lot and fly far, book a subscription form $499 to $1,099. You can also book Economy Plus packages that provide other goodies.

USA TODAY

The worst places to sit on a plane

Rick Seaney, Special for USA TODAY

FareCompare CEO Rick Seaney is an airline industry insider and top media air travel resource. Follow Rick (@rickseaney) and never overpay for airfare again.